Billy Connolly is making his way to middle earth for a part in Peter Jackson’s two-part adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit. 

Connolly will play Dain Ironfoot, a dwarf warrior and the cousin of Thorin Oakenshield.

Peter Jackson tells The Hollywood Reporter:

“We could not think of a more fitting actor to play Dain Ironfoot, the staunchest and toughest of Dwarves, than Billy Connelly, the Big Yin himself. With Billy stepping into this role, the cast of The Hobbit is now complete. We can’t wait to see him on the Battlefield!”

Connolly has most recently been seen in the TV show House M.D., Gulliver’s Travels, The Boondock Saints and Good Sharma

The first part of the new two-part Hobbit retelling is due in theaters on Dec. 14.

Do you think Billy Connolly is the right match for Dain Ironfoot? He definitely looks the role to me and Peter Jackson has been excellent at picking the right actors for J.R.R. Tolkiens characters in the past.

Hobbit’s Unite! Billy Connolly Joins Peter Jackson’s Crew is a post from: The Inquisitr

Fans have been eagerly anticipating the opportunity to get their first look at Peter Jackson’s film adaptation of The Hobbit from J.R.R. Tolkien, and that moment is finally here.

Nearly a year in advance of The Hobbit‘s release in theaters, the very first teaser trailer for The Hobbit has been released. Don’t let the “teaser” part fool you, however – there’s actually quite a bit to take in with The Hobbit‘s first trailer.

The first The Hobbit trailer introduces us to the movie’s all-new cast of characters, as well as more than a couple familiar faces; we get to see Ian Holm reprising his role as the elderly version of Bilbo Baggins, Elijah Wood as Frodo, Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, Andy Serkis as Gollum and, of course, Ian McKellen as Gandalf the Grey.

Much of the trailer has quick shots of new and old faces alike in both familiar and unfamiliar scenery, all set to the tune of a foreboding hymn sung by Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage), one of the movie’s many new characters.

It’s a wonderful trailer, and one you should check out regardless of whether you’re a fan of the books, the movies, or both. If you’d like to give the debut The Hobbit trailer a look, see below.

The Hobbit debut trailer released – watch it here is a post from: The Inquisitr

If you’re a Lord of the Rings fanboy or fangirl, recent comments Viggo Mortenson has made about the now-filming adaptation of the series prequel The Hobbit will probably be of interest to you.

Mortenson played the role of Aragorn in the epic film series directed by Peter Jackson, and was a fan favorite due to his rugged good looks. But female Tolkien fans will have one less thing to look forward to when the film hits theaters in December of 2012, as Mortenson confirms that unless something changes, he won’t be appearing as Aragorn in the upcoming blockbuster. Mortenson spoke at length to Movies.com about his lack of involvement in The Hobbit:

“At one point, the producers asked if I would do it and I said sure, if Aragorn is supposed to be in the bridge story, because he’s not in The Hobbit… But I’ve never been asked and they’re shooting the movie. I’m not in it unless there is some last-minute plan they have, but I thought I would have heard of it by now.”

Mortenson continued:

“Orlando Bloom and Cate Blanchett shot something, but they’re elves and don’t change as rapidly… As you know, Aragorn is half elf and also lives a couple hundred years or more and he could be in a bridge, but I have to assume it isn’t going to happen.”

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey hits first, with a sequel for the film due out a year later in 2013. Do you plan on seeing one or both parts of The Hobbit when they hit theaters?

Viggo Mortenson Confirms Aragorn Won’t Appear in ‘The Hobbit’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

At the start of this year, Damien Echols and fellow convicted murderers Jason Baldwin and Jesse Misskelley were behind bars, with little hope the three men would ever see the light of day again after a decade and a half in prison for a crime it seemed highly unlikely the three committed.

But there was a Hail Mary pass, and the men were suddenly released. Several celebrities had thrown their weight behind the cause, and even one of the fathers of the murdered boys (the crime for which Echols, Misskelley and Baldwin were convicted) supported their release after evidence continued to pile up suggesting the three men were innocent of the horrific crime. A judge in the case accepted an Alford plea- one that got the West Memphis Three out of jail but did not clear their names in the traditional sense.

Among high-profile supporters of Echols and his co-defendants was Peter Jackson, director of the Lord of the Rings films and the upcoming film The Hobbit. Now Jackson is working with Echols tin New Zealand so the three men, incarcerated for half their lives, have a chance to live normal lives after their lengthy ordeal. Jackson says:

“There are all sorts of emotive headlines about Damien Echols, killer, coming to New Zealand, but the reality is that Damien Echols is an innocent man who has spent 18 years incarcerated in a tiny cell… He’s come here to work with us on a couple of things. We’re doing investigative work, we’re doing forensic work … with the purpose of getting a complete pardon.”

Further details of Echols’ trip were not disclosed.

Peter Jackson is Helping Damien Echols Get a Pardon is a post from: The Inquisitr

In a post over on his Facebook page over the weekend, Peter Jackson revealed that Lost‘s Evangeline Lilly has joined the cast of The Hobbit. Lilly will be playing the role of the Woodland Elf, Tauriel.

Here’s what Peter Jackson had to say about the new addition to the cast:

Evangeline Lilly will be playing a new character—the Woodland Elf, Tauriel. Her name means ‘daughter of Mirkwood’ and, beyond that, we must leave you guessing! (No, there is no romantic connection to Legolas.) What is not a secret is how talented and compelling an actress Evangeline is; we are thrilled and excited she will be the one to bring our first true Sylvan Elf to life.

Additionally, Jackson revealed in the post that Australian comedian and actor Barry Humphries will be taking on the role of the Goblin King.

I’m also highly excited that Barry Humphries will be portraying the Goblin King, in much the way Andy Serkis created Gollum. Barry is perhaps best known for his business and social connections as the long-time manager of Dame Edna Everage. He has also been an ardent supporter of the rather misunderstood and unfairly maligned Australian politician, Sir Les Patterson. However, in his spare time, Barry is also a fine actor, and we’re looking forward to seeing him invest the Goblin King with the delicate sensitivity and emotional depth this character deserves.

Lilly and Humphries will be joining Elijah Wood, Sir Ian McKellan, Christopher Lee, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving and Andy Serkis as confirmed stars for the film adaptation of The Hobbit.

The first of the movies, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, is due out in theaters December 14, 2012, with the second installment, The Hobbit: There and Back Again, following a year later on December 13, 2013.

While you’re here, check out Peter Jackson’s first video blog from the set of The Hobbit.

Image credit: Jean Baptiste Lacroix/FilmMagic

Evangeline Lilly Joins Cast of ‘The Hobbit’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

Ian Holm’s has signed onto the Hobbit movie where he will reprise his Lord Of The Rings role as Bilbo Baggins.

It was recently announced that Martin Freeman would play the young Bilbo, while Peter Jackson took to Facebook to let fans know of Holm’s role reprise, writing:

“Ian will be returning as the older Bilbo Baggins in the Hobbit.”

Jackson decided to confirm Holm’s role after a web clip featured Baggins voice and fans went crazy with speculation over whether or not Ian was the voice they heard. It turns out the voice was actually Freeman, but Jackson didn’t want to leave his fans in suspense.

Ian Holm Reprising Bilbo Baggins Role For Hobbit Movie is a post from: The Inquisitr

A two-film series based on the famous comic series Tintin looks close to going ahead, with negotiations said to be “advanced” between Sony Pictures Entertainment and Paramount Pictures to finance and distribute the films.

The Tintin project is being proposed by both Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson, neither of whom need explanation here. Spielberg will direct the first film, Jackson the second.

Paramount had previously offered to finance the entire $130 milliion project, according to THR, but both directors weren’t happy with the conditions placed on the money. Universal Pictures was reported to be close to a partnership for the series last month, but back away at the last minute.

Under the deal, Paramount will gain exclusive North American rights, with Sony taking the rest of the world.

Sony may fund Tintin, Spielberg and Jackson to direct is a post from: The Inquisitr